Spenser, Sir Edmund

Folio (12 x 7 3/4 in.; 305 x 197 mm). Title-page printed in red and black within double-ruled border, engraved frontispiece of Spenser's tomb by Robert White, separate title-page for Part II of the "Faery Queen" dated with pagination continuous with Part I, separate title-page dated 1678 for "Mother Hubbers Tale" with separate pagination; ten other separate title-pages all dated 1678 with separate pagination but with continuous pagination one with the other, register continuous throughout entire text,  publisher's advertisement on 4K2r; some browning in latter half of text, occasionally pronounced. Contemporary speckled calf; rebacked, speckling oxidized, upper right corner of front free endpaper clipped, lacks lower free endpaper.  

Matthew Prior (signature "MPrior," presentation inscription, and annotations on flyleaves, numerous emphatic scorings and annotations in text) — Edward Harley, 2nd Earl of Oxford and Earl Mortimer, 1689–1741 (presentation inscription by Matthew Prior on flyleaf and sale, 14 February 1764, lot 3553) — J. Pincke (signature on flyleaf dated 1754 and lengthy purchase note on front pastedown dated 1755) — Sotheby's London, 23 July 1987, lot 16. acquisition: Purchased at foregoing sale through Bernard Quaritch

Wing S4965; ESTC R7177; Pforzheimer 980

Folio (12 x 7 3/4 in.; 305 x 197 mm). Title-page printed in red and black within double-ruled border, engraved frontispiece of Spenser's tomb by Robert White, separate title-page for Part II of the "Fairy Queen" dated with pagination continuous with Part I, separate title-page dated 1678 for "Mother Hubbers Tale" with separate pagination; ten other separate title-pages all dated 1678 with separate pagination but with continuous pagination one with the other, register continuous throughout entire text, publisher's advertisement on 4K2r; some browning in latter half of text, occasionally pronounced. Contemporary speckled calf; rebacked, speckling oxidized.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

First edition, the Harleian Library copy inscribed by the poet Matthew Prior to Edward Harley, 2nd Earl of Oxford: "To My Dear Lord Harley | MPrior." Harley was a close friend and patron of Prior, who, according to Harley's daughter made "himself beloved by every living thing in the house—master, child, and servant, human creature, or animal" (Lady M. Wortley Montagu, Works, 1837, I. 63).  Prior, who died in Harley's house and in his will apppinted him an executor of his manuscripts, was buried "as he desired, at the Feet of Spenser" (The Literary Works of Matthew Prior, ed. by H.B. Wright and M.K. Spears, 1971, pp. xxxi, 527, 896, 959).